NASA Anchor Grips Impossible Rocks Using Futuristic Alien-Inspired Microspines

Описание: NASA JPL scientists have developed one of the most extreme space technologies ever created — a 250-mm omni-directional microspine anchor capable of gripping almost any natural rock surface in the universe. Designed for asteroids, comets, Mars cliffs, and deep lava tubes, this futuristic claw system uses hundreds of ultra-fine steel microspines that latch onto microscopic rock textures, creating a grip strong enough for robots to climb, drill, and explore in zero gravity.

This breakthrough solves one of space exploration’s biggest challenges: mobility without gravity. Normal wheels fail, traditional anchors slip, and surfaces in space are unpredictable. But microspines adapt automatically, distributing force across hundreds of flexible hooks, giving robots the freedom to move across vertical walls, overhangs, and dangerous alien terrain.

This technology could transform future missions — from asteroid mining to Mars cave exploration — opening paths into regions that no rover has ever reached.

Paper: “Gravity-Independent Mobility and Drilling on Natural Rock Using Microspines”
Authors: A. Parness et al.
Journal: IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA, 2012)
Provided by: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)

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